The Case of the Spanish Cross

Perry Mason's client in this episode is young Peter Miles who was accused of stealing a car. But the woman whose car was stolen Linda Watkins felt sorry for him and had him put on probation in her charge as Miles's father Arthur Space is a sodden alcoholic.

When a rare jewelled cross is stolen just when Watkins's husband Donald Randolph is discussing sale with antique dealer Jacques Aubuchon, Miles is blamed by Randolph. Later on when Randolph is killed, he's the likely suspect.

Making matters even more intriguing Aubuchon offers to pay for his defense with Raymond Burr. It certainly intrigues Burr enough to look into the matter and William Hopper proves of great assistance in locating the fugitive Miles.

Viewers get set up good in this episode. The real killer is someone you would never have suspected.

The reason that this episode gets such high marks is a scene where Burr talks young Miles into giving himself up and putting his fate in the hands of Perry Mason.

Best decision the young man ever made.

This episode is generally one that I'd rather skip than watch. Considering Arthur Marks is the director here, I wasn't expecting much, and I was duly rewarded for my doubts. The plot was weak, with the typical character set that had already been overdone long before this even made it to film. As it played out, it was obvious the eventual murderer wasn't going to be any of the primary characters. I couldn't seem to drum up much sympathy for the Jimmy character, and the long monotonous basement exchange between Perry & Jimmy just sank it too deep into the realm of melodrama. This one just arrived DOA IMHO. There are MUCH better PM's out there...

Big Perry fan here, and I must say this episode is one of the more all-around square that you'll find in the series. Stolen cross, snooty society types, and Jimmy the misguided-but-sensitive fall guy. Not any particularly noteworthy behavior from Perry or Burger either. Square.

This episode starts out with Curtis Runyan showing a sleazy art dealer, Flex Karr, his valuable antique cross. After escorting Mr Karr to the door, Mr Runyan discovers that someone has stolen the cross. Right outside the window stands Jimmy Morrow, a man that does odd jobs around the Runyan's house, he is standing next to an open window. And since Jimmy is an ex-con he is accused of the theft.

Not only that- later Mr Runyan is found shot and Jimmy is seen running from the scene with a gun in his hand. Needless to say Perry has a stack against him even before deciding if he will take the case.

For some reason Flex Karr ask Perry to defend Jimmy for the murder and theft. Perry finds it very odd that the sleazy art dealer would want to help an ex-con - so Perry, who always loves a good mystery, decides to take the case without Mr Karr's money.

Perry will have to weave his way through a cast of suspicious players. Along with Mr Karr and Jimmy, we have Ms Runyan (Linda Watkins). Ms Runyan is a wheelchair bound estranged wife that seems comfortable with her husband's death. In fact she sides with Jimmy on the issue of the murder.

Everett Wormer (Jonathan Hole) is the private secretary of Mr Runyan. He is the nervous sort of person that seems to be in exactly the right place at the right time. He is the one that sees Jimmy holding the gun.

Miriam Baker (Josephine Hutchinson) is a relative of Ms Runyan and is taking care of the sick Ms Runyan. She seems to take the death of Mr Runyan much worse than anyone else in the episode.

Perry is left with tangled web as he tries to get to the truth of the matter. But through some trickery with one of the witnesses, he soon finds that all is not what it seems at the Runyan estate.

We do get a courtroom confession but the event of the crime could have never been predicted by the viewer. It actually comes out of the blue and hurts more than one person in the process. It was really not a surprising ending but more-or-less a sad state of affairs.

There is some good acting in this episode. Josephine Hutchinson, who I adore as an actress, only has a small part in this episode. But her presents, in any show, demands respect. Jonathan Hole, a regular character actor, is perfect as the nervous secretary. He was a suspect from his first appearance in the show.

The only poor performance was from Peter Miles that played the defendant Jimmy Morrow. He was stiff and unsure of himself. He was more in line for a parking attendant's job rather than acting.

BONUS- During this episode William Talman has a bad case of laryngitis. It appears that after the taping they went back and filmed a small sequence that had the judge asking Hamilton if he needed a delay for his sickness. Hamilton then explains his condition and as a true DA carries out his duty. Also- During the episode Jimmy is on the run from police and hiding in a vacant cellar. Perry goes and gives one of the most inspirational speeches of the entire series. Perry tells Jimmy he has to trust people. Even though perry leaves the cellar alone- he only get a few steps when Jimmy comes to his side and they walk together to Lt Tragg's office.

Jimmy Morrow is a juvenile delinquent with a criminal record. He has a chance of rehabilitation working for the disabled Grace Runyan.

Her estranged husband Curtis Runyan, is planning to sale a valuable Spanish Cross to collector Felix Karr.

Later the Cross goes missing and Curtis blames Jimmy for the theft. Then after Curtis is found dead, Jimmy is wanted for his murder.

Initially Felix Kerr goes to Perry Mason to defend Jimmy. An unusual move, maybe he is hoping that Jimmy would later thank Felix by selling the Spanish Cross to him at cut price.

The story had a look at juvenile delinquents in the late 1950s. Jilly has a drunken father but he still loves Jimmy. As well as Jimmy taking a rap for car theft for someone else.

Then Perry Mason talks Jimmy around to stop hiding out, trust someone and hand himself to the police.

During the court case, Hamilton Burger has laryngitis reflecting the fact that the actor was ill during the shoot.

After all that, the culprit was easy to identify even though there was a pulp noirish undertone to the story.